Canal
Ratking Lyrics

New Ratking
Introducing the artist/group known as Ratking

Canal, canal
The setting of the song is on Canal street in New York City

Stop so, so stop
Commands people to listen and pay attention

You best die my way
The artist is asserting their dominance by threatening their enemies

On the West side highway
The artist mentions another location in New York City

Or get high my way
The singer is inviting others to partake in their recreational activities

Hanging off the left side of a sky scrape-er-er
The singer describes a daring and dangerous activity that they engage in

My words word have drifted
The artist's message has been spread through word of mouth

Sideways, migrate in the Tri-State
The artist's message has spread to multiple states in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut)

Mind state, thinking don't violate
The artist's state of mind is focused on not being disrespected or violated

Thinking that I'm vain
Others may see the singer as self-centered

'Cause when I spit, you see my veins
The artist's passion is visible when they perform

Bulging out, cold as cuts from my blades
The singer's passion is intense and can be felt by others

And they used to cut cold cuts five ways
Referencing the past, where meat was sliced into five different ways

(Five ways?)
The singer follows up with a question to emphasize their point

Thin, slim, extra slim, large, extra large
The five different ways the artist's 'blades' may have been used to cut meat

My rhyme spectacle sees time perpetual
The artist's lyrics are timeless and will be remembered forever

Back before I was ape, I was a vegetable
The singer is referencing their evolution as an artist and person

Life-form, trying, to become, an icon
The singer aspires to be an icon and make a lasting impact on their community

I once, was an ion
The artist references their past as a small, insignificant element

Now I'm eying, every motherfucker passing by on
The artist is always on the lookout for their next moves and opportunities

Now the power in my brow
The artist recognizes their own power and influence

Make a thug uptown, come down
The singer is powerful enough to bring someone from the upper class to their level

To hustle on Canal
The artist is inviting people to come to Canal street to hustle and make money

Whats the bustle all about?
The singer is questioning why everyone is so busy and hustling

Sweet kid with a free crib
The singer describes a young person who has a free place to stay and is making the most of it

Hustle on his couch
The singer is describing how the young person is making money from their own home

Hollowed spliff days
Days where the artist, possibly under the influence of marijuana, was empty and unproductive

Stained canines, decay minds
The artist is acknowledging the negative effects of drug use

Now wait mom
The singer is addressing their mother and asking her to wait for something

Always gave me the chance
The singer acknowledges their mother's support and opportunities

But I stay blind
The artist is admitting their own shortcomings and refusal to take advantage of opportunities

Outlive me lots of love
The artist wants to be remembered fondly after they pass away

So churned for me to say
The artist is emotional and struggling to express their thoughts

Promise me this know I was done
The singer is making a promise and asking others to recognize the effort they have put in

So Lenox here I lay
The artist is referencing Lenox Avenue in Harlem, possibly as their place of origin or somewhere significant to them

Lay, lay, lay you're my guest
The singer is inviting someone to stay with them

Breathe out the stress, lets digress
The singer is encouraging relaxation and 'digressing' from stressful situations

Sweated seventeen summers so surely you're my nest
The singer has had a lot of life experience and sees their home as a safe and comfortable place

Suckled ya stopps 'n' ya honey combed coral chest
The artist is being metaphorical and poetic, describing their home as warm and nourishing

Hak 'n' his hounds hover the heights ritzy won't have the rest, rest
Possibly a reference to real or fictional characters, this line suggests a sense of competition and exclusion in higher class areas

Dealing troddened talons trickled as they tear into your flesh
This line is violent and disturbing, possibly referencing oppression or violence in society

And try to gnaw the nectar 'neath ya knit floral dress
The singer continues with the violent imagery, potentially indicating a metaphorical attack on femininity or innocence

Sense of a city that you breath
The artist reflects on the essence of the city that everyone can feel

What a mess but yet you continue to feed
The artist acknowledges that the city is chaotic and flawed, but people continue to be drawn to it

Think the city has let up?
The artist questions whether the city has become less intense or dangerous

Get up, wake up
The singer is encouraging listeners to take action and become aware of their surroundings

Open your eyes
The artist is urging listeners to pay attention and be mindful

Kids that is fed up
The singer acknowledges a group of people who are tired of the status quo

Instead of
The singer suggests there is a better alternative to just complaining

Bitching and moaning, they get buck and get up
The singer suggests taking action and becoming proactive rather than just complaining

(Outro:)
The conclusion of the song